IT has become a common occurrence that people die in South Africa with their relatives back home having no clue of both their deaths and whereabouts. This has prompted a South Africa-based Zimbabwean man, Peter Magaso, to open a death records centre that captures the data of Zimbabweans who would have died in South Africa.
Report by Jairos Saunyama
The records contain the names of the deceased and possible information that enables relatives from Zimbabwe to easily identify the bodies if they suspect that their relative living in South Africa has died.
This development comes at a time most Zimbabweans are dying daily in South Africa with some bodies ending up being burnt after their families fail to turn up, while other relatives back home are not even aware that their relatives in the Diaspora would have died.
The centre will capture information, especially the deceased’s names, that will enable them to notify relatives back home about the death of their relative. “This idea came to me after realising that many Zimbabweans here are dying without people back home knowing about it.
“This platform will enable people back home to find the names of their relative(s) on the Internet if they suspect he or she has died.
“I know I can’t get all the names, but I am working with South African hospitals, clinics and mortuaries to help me with names of deceased people.
“Currently, I am focusing on Gauteng Province, but as the word spreads, I know more hospitals in other South African provinces will look for me with names of the deceased,” he said.
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“The website is not yet functional since we are still putting final touches on it, but in a week’s time people can acccess it. People are should feel free to call me and check on their deceased loved ones.
“I am willing to help them, especially if the deceased stayed in Gauteng province,” he added.
Magaso, who is the founder of Magaso Foundation — an organisation that seeks to help the unfortunate Zimbabwean children — has already embarked on a mission to bring bodies of Zimbabwean back home.
According to Magaso, the devotion to his project has driven him to dig deep into his own pocket to help deceased’s families financially.
He has brought bodies of Innocent Jonga of Charewa Village in Mutoko, Lovemore Mangena from Masvingo and Anita Mabiza from Zvimba, who all died in South Africa.
“I have already brought three dead bodies back home using my own car, money and time.
“It is a pity that people are dying and nobody knows about it.
“Some hospitals are discharging Zimbabwean patients who end up dying on their way home.
“For example, I met one person from Mutoko at Park Station who had been dumped there by a reputable luxury bus company that plies the Zimbabawe-South Africa route because he was very ill.
“The drivers said that he was too sick to travel and they feared he would die. I took the man to hospital, but he died later.
“I then scrolled his phone and got Zimbabwean contacts, but his parents who stay in Mutoko had no money to come to South Africa to collect his body.
“I then used my own money to transport the body to Mutoko,” Magaso said.
Magaso has brought three bodies so far using a Toyota Corolla sedan. This is because he has no other alternative.
“I don’t own a truck or a big car so I use my Toyota Corrolla. I hire a trailer which carries the coffin. However, hiring a trailer is very expensive, but I have no option.
“Currently, I am trying to mobilise funds from well wishers so that they will help me with coffins, fuel and a truck so that my work will be made easier,” he said. Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to NewsDay hailed Magaso for assisting them.
“He brought relief to us after my brother died in South Africa and we had nothing. However, Magaso came to our rescue and we do not know how to thank him,” said Sebastian Jonga the brother of Innocent who died in South Africa.
Those wishing to know about the whereabouts of their dead relatives can visit www.petermagasofoundation.co.za or email him on [email protected]. People can also call Magaso on 0027123751176 or 0027746732951 to find out about their relatives if they suspect he or she is dead.
